SCHOOLS back in session classmates. And not 4 moment too soon, Recent news stories reveal a touch of rustiness in the cranial recesses of pols, bureaucrats and others in lofty places of authority. Time for a few to attend some remedial Ripping Yarns classes. First up: mathematics -— a real head-squeezer at the best of times. In the slow learners row at the back of the class: all the folks over there at Greater Vancouver Regional District headquarters fresh from sum- mer vacations. Decision-makers at that unelected foarth level of gov- ernment are currently hell- bent on instituting a mam- moth water upgrade plan for the Lower Mainland. Mault- millions are _ invaived. The trouble is that some of the plan’s basic numbers just don’t add up. And, as pointed out in previous Yarns, more than a few local politices have questioned the planned investment of $350 tnillion in North Shore waterworks without a full cost benefit study of all GVRD water resources hav- ing been conducted. . _.. The huge Harrison ; Lake/ River watershed, for ' example, has yet to be fully factored into the equation. Eastern Fraser Valley com- “muniiies are now tapping the 3,000 sq. mile (7,800 sq. km.) Harrison Lake water- “shed, which has the capacity to service an estimated 100 million people. . And extending such vast water resources west rather “than extending the smaller * Capilano and Seymour water - resources cas? will be far more cost effective in the long-term. Bur the inertia built up mailbox behind the GVRD’s $960 million water improvement plan appears to be unstap- pable. Consider, however, a few matters of addition and sub- traction recently brought to light. On the addition side, a Sept. 3 News story has pro- vided another reason to rethink local water supply overhaul plans. Some good journalistic spade work by News reporter Martin Millerchip reveals that an $85 million ozonation dis- intection plant planned for the Capilano reservoir is not needed, Set aside the revelation that the plant won't provide adequate treatment for water parasites and consider that it will be redundant in 20 years anyway because the GVRD plans to fink Capilano water to a new Seyniour reservoir filtering system via ewin tun- nels. Consider also that Capilano water turbidity exceeds Canadian Safe Drinking Water guidelines an average of 55 days per year and is therefore not used all year round and you have a questionable investment at best. / So subtract another $85 inillion from the GVRD plan. Subrract also the need to build an industrial building in ~. the picturesque Capilano reservoir arca; subtract more heavy truck traffic from Capilano Road, and subtract the need to remove more trees from the Cleveland Dam area to make way for the ozonation plant. Add a few of those factors up and you come up with a better deal that is less expen- sive for all involved. Anyone who can’t see that nceds more than a refresher course in common sense mathematics as outlined here. Qg00 Another group necding help with their number work is the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. News reports have its B.C. office recommending that the province’s hourly minimum wage, already the highest among Canadian provinces at $7.15, be raised to $8. The recommendation is based on the argument that the $8 figure will provide the oor with an income equiva- fent to Canada’s official poverty line. But apart trom the ques- tionable mathematics behind determining that line, the basic numbers again don’t add up. Raising minimum wage levels prices the labour of entry-level workers — usually your kids and others trying to secure that all-important yet elusive first job — out of the market. Smail businesses can’t afford it, and when they can’t afford it they won’t hire your sons or daughters, who are usually far more interested in job experience than money in - the early stages of their work- ing lives anyway If the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives wants to help out the poor, why stop at just hitting the so-called poverty line? Why not raise the mini- mum wage so that workers are paid wel! above it? , How about $12 per hour; $202 Ie's simple marketplace math: higher minimum wages, fewer entry-level jobs,” fewer opportunities for ‘raser right on causeway Dear :Edizoz: L, ‘Wats: off to West Vancouver District Councillor ~ Russ Fraser and his comments bout. the ‘proposed Stanicy Park causeway (Sept. 5). Where .are the rest of the Shore elected council-. “lors, mayors and MLAs? * “Why. are they not crying foul over this outrageous non- widening ‘of one of our. area’s .busiest- thoroughfares? For Dear Editor: The latest boatload -of so- alled “refugees” from China y well be a blessing in dis- . guise: he deterioration of Canada t the hands of the dictatori- ‘al government in Ottawa. A government that does not-care about what the citi- zens think and want and that obviously is-content with ‘aking: business. easier and better for the gangster rings that deal in human cargo and human dreams, “°° - This is akin to the slave trade of 200 years ago, now abetted by our government. We :put..up with the most., chat - West side an Everyday we sec signs of matter why = aren’t Vancouverites raising a litde Cain. 100? They. own “more property. at Whistler and on the Sunshine Coast than those of us on the North Shore. ‘The causeway is a Greater Vancouver problem. © Most Richmond resi- dents use the park drive for convenience. The scenery is an added bonus.: ~ {ct appears the Vancouver outrageous ‘deceit, lying, skulduggery and ineptitude, shrug our shoulders and say, “Well, they ‘say it’s the best - country in the world!” They being the United Nations, an organization that is nowhere to be found, when real aid and decision is needed. The .new. minister of _immigration just said that Park Board doesn’t want to share that magnificent’ park asset with those of us who by choice want to drive a vehicle. What a shame, as the aver- age family home today has two such vehicles. Maybe we should arrange a march on the park board offices to. bring them to their senses, . Erwen Smith West Vancouver immigration changes now “this fall they are going to review immigration proce- dvres.” ‘Phis fall? I would nave thought they would be falling over themselves trying to set matters straight. . Why do we put up with all this? : Axel Duch West Vancouver ee A oS ee | ee ) ee eal Lube & Fier. : hina Beh ore 21 pt, Safety check, 15 minutes ~ FAST! includes up'to S litres of 1Ow30 Quakerstate 1362 Marine Drive 980-9115 ._. [Mon-Sat 8:0081r- 6:00pm,’ Sun 9:00am-5:00pm * Expires Sept 22/09 § EN Gt Er, See) ES ee ce ge SSS peel janet a . Sunday, Septe: “er 12, 1999 — North Shore News — 7 in the ozone Class dismissed. younger workers Ouch. => srenshaw@ divect.ca Q That'll wach ’em. From math to a crime and punishment pop quiz: You're under the influence i at wit of an over-the-counter pre- Living With A Heart. Patiené?. scription diet drug; vou drive . a e : wey your car at three times the & Missing the way life used tobe? speed limit, ram: another Angry when he eats “the wrong foods?” vehicle from behind and kill * ¥ Worried about her wait for surgery? |. awo innocent people. What Wondering how to heip children cope? snalty § ‘Ou expect t . sees _ oe should you expect to Join other fiac spouses/mates to focus on your, ° Serious jail time, perhaps, own needs and feelings. 8 week When A Heart with a lifetime driving ban Breaks education & support groups siart th tacked on for good measure? - of Sentember 20: Registrstion/informaiion: Sorry. Pick up your dunce vel Ee Nes hE goa al ee ee cap at the door. _ Call Jan Spilman,‘nn This is Canada, don’t for- “ neeveraretntacerne get. The correct answer is an absolute discharge. OK. Next question, and let’s try a lithe harder on this one. You bilk charities from a place of high government authority; line your own pockets with the proceeds for years; show no remorse when caught. Sentence, please. ‘Throw the book at the bum, you say? Sorry, that was a trick question. | forgot to tell you that you're a former political heavyweight who is getting on in years. Our two-tiered frontier justice decrees the sentence to be: nwo years of living with your daughter. S.LAURSEN & draperies & blinds Serving the Lower Mainland for over 27 ftd. Custom Rods, Upholstery & Bedspreads (Ask about our Seniors Vinouns) For Free Estimate call 922-4975 or 987-2966 Deapery Labour $13.50 per panct lined. Low Low Pi COURT APPOINTED RECEIVERSHIP SALE* 2.5 and 5 Acre Sunny Building Lots BOWEN ISLAND (a 20 minute ferry ride in beautiful Howe Sound from Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver) gully serviced with water, hydro, cable and teicphone *aall offer subject to court approval) © MACDONALD OG (WEST VAN) LID. - Suite 113, 106 Park Royal, West Vancouver, B.C. V7T 142 _ Internet Address:http://avew.macrealor.com/macrcalty : For more information please pheve FF DENNIS TT 623-5788 Sharing @ Vision : ; of Health ne we . : ; Ee C Appointments to the Board. The North Shore Health Region invites applications ‘froni. suitably. qualifi residents to fill vacancies on its Board The Region is responsible for the delivery acute care, residential care, and community health programs and services.to over 176,000 residents throughout North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Bowen Island and ‘Lions Bay. Te ore To be eligible, applicants must: oS Py - Be 18 years of age or older and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident - Have lived in British Columbia for at least six months ~~ ° 0. 3" - - Be a current resident of the North Shore’: pee ~ Be able to make a significant voluntary time commitment - Demonstrate experience in non-profit community service. - Possess excellent communication skills o | -- Have previous experience on governing Boards ” Please note that employees of the NSHR and individuals with a financial interest health services funded by the NSHR and/or the Ministry of Health are not eligib to apply. " arc SOE If you are interested in. this challenging and rewarding volunteér opportuni! please contact Cathy Fraser at 984-3841 for a: nomination/application -packag Applications must be completed and returned to the NSHR no later than 4:00 p.m on Friday, October 8, 1999. Doe aa